The ongoing pandemic has resulted in a paradigm shift in the way employees operate at all levels within an organisation. However, migrating from a conventional office setup to remote management may not always yield the desired results. This approach may promote micromanagement, which can have an adverse impact on team spirit and hamper output.
Do you think it would boost your motivation levels if your manager constantly checked on your progress every half an hour? Would having your progress tracked regularly make a difference, enabling you to share your findings, thoughts and concerns?
For hybrid businesses, incorporating remote management techniques is crucial for the team’s success. What attributes should you seek in a remote management candidate?
At Works, we have created a comprehensive recruitment procedure that evaluates not only an individual’s technical expertise, but also their emotional intelligence or “soft skills”. Our experience suggests that possessing these skills is critical for success in any role.
Allow us to provide you with a brief explanation. If you are in search of a new remote manager, here is a concise guide outlining the top remote management techniques:
What does “Remote Management” precisely mean?
Remote management involves supervising and directing a team from a remote location. At Works, we strongly affirm that trust holds the key to a successful remote team. Managing remotely demands similar skills to traditional management, and involves much more than just issuing directives, as emphasized by our President, Sharon Koifman.
Our extensive experience has taught us that empathy is the most critical attribute for effective remote management. Trust is built upon empathy and it should be given prominence over technical proficiency, creative thinking, and perseverance at work. The remote manager’s primary responsibility is undoubtedly to achieve objectives and meet deadlines. Furthermore, a manager must embody the organization’s core values and exhibit how they can be implemented in the workplace.
Competent managers possess knowledge of their team’s underlying dynamics and can anticipate their requirements, which is an absolute must. Although the lack of trust in a remote work environment can be mitigated, its impact on productivity and performance is significant.
Top Techniques for Remote Management
Introductions and Comprehensive Guidelines
We cannot stress this enough. Without a comprehensive onboarding process, getting into a productive rhythm at work can be challenging.
Studies have indicated that it typically takes a team around seven days to become in sync, but this might require more time for some individuals due to their previous experiences.
A skilled manager will not contribute to their staff’s stress by assuming that they are already familiar with all the products and platforms they utilize. Instead, they will take the time to provide an explanation of the equipment. They will also guarantee that all essential arrangements are made before new team members join. A competent manager recognizes that each individual is unique, and that success is achieved through teamwork towards a common goal, rather than by imposing a uniform approach on every member.
Achieving a Balance Between Independence and Dependence in Your Workflow
This brings us to our second point; successful collaboration across different time zones and geographical boundaries necessitates structured processes. Although working independently can result in completing tasks more quickly, it may also lead to miscommunication and duplication of efforts.
An adept manager plays a vital role in ensuring smooth workflow. They can assess the situation from various angles and understand when and how to combine group and individual efforts. Above all, they can give precise instructions on how to maintain organization.
Feedback
As a competent manager, it is crucial to not only possess the ability to organize and maintain efficient operations, but also to be receptive to ideas and critique from those under your guidance. While it is important to anticipate your team’s needs, it’s not always feasible to predict every requirement. As a result, it is critical to acknowledge feedback and be adaptable in modifying plans and approaches if the initial solution isn’t successful.
Fostering a sense of being heard among your staff can cultivate empathy and increase productivity without imposing an excessive workload.
Effective Techniques for Managing Remote Employees
Share everyone’s work on public platforms.
To thrive in remote work, having dependable communication channels is crucial. A skilled manager should be cognizant of any cultural disparities that may arise due to different time zones. Despite their best attempts to clarify processes, misunderstandings may still occur. Thus, it is prudent for an astute manager to customize the team’s communication methods to fit their unique requirements.
It is not feasible to conclusively determine which communication method is optimal for all individuals, as some may find text messaging to be more impactful, while others may favour video calls. Nonetheless, it is vital to keep everyone updated on any updates.
The Skill of Nonverbal Communication
As a manager, it is crucial to monitor the progress of each team member’s work and establish an effective method of communication. Moreover, it falls on the manager to ensure that the team’s mental and emotional wellbeing is tended to while still meeting the desired objectives. Even while working remotely, a competent manager can discern any tension within the team by paying attention to the tone of voice and body language.
The emotional state of a video caller can be deduced from their eye movements and facial expressions. As noted by Forbes, body language is crucial for comprehending and bonding with a remote workforce. Hence, hand gestures and arm posture can be employed to foster an approachable demeanor and generate a more candid atmosphere.
Unified Video Conference and Post-Meeting Review
It is apparent that communication is critical for the smooth functioning of our workflow and for fostering favourable relationships with our personnel. Hence, we are unwavering in our dedication to achieving effective communication.
At Work, we utilise a Slack extension called ‘Random Donuts.’ The program links two team members at random, encouraging interaction between them. With time, we observed the positive effect this had on our team’s cohesion, leading to more successful communication in the workplace.
As a manager in remote work, establishing trust between yourself and your team is crucial. One strategy is to connect with each other on a more personal level. Think about employing innovative methods to foster this, such as arranging fun activities that enable your team to form stronger relationships.
Competent Remote Management
Working from home can be demanding, and it is vital to guarantee that everyone is working at their maximum potential. Many software programs are available to aid in tracking how much time is spent on work-related tasks, yet it is crucial to consider the associated expenses when instating such a policy. As remote managers, it is essential to reflect on whether strict monitoring is the best approach to ensuring productivity.
At Works, our emphasis is on results and achievement of objectives, prioritising deadlines over processes. We do not mandate tracking of task completion time, as long as the tasks are completed on schedule and meet the requirements. Focusing on the outcomes has enabled us to become more productive. Nevertheless, we are aware that utilising trackers could potentially increase stress levels among our team members, making them feel as if they are a part of a tedious reality show.
It has been validated that trust is more beneficial than surveillance. To ensure a successful transition, it is crucial to establish a balance between surveillance, record-keeping, and reporting. Facilitating healthy debate can address the fundamental issues that require collaboration. As a manager, it is imperative to be open to diverse perspectives and foster a secure environment for the team to express their own concepts. This approach will foster trust and motivate them to take the initiative in the workplace.
Hiring a Remote Supervisor
Recognising and valuing quality output is vital in the hiring process. Finding the right candidate for the job is critical, and hiring a capable manager can lead to the delegation of important responsibilities. Evaluating a prospective employee’s experience in remote management is crucial before making any decisions. Even though adapting to the remote work environment may take some time, it should not distract from the job. Therefore, it is important to determine the candidate’s ability to adapt to diverse situations and work comfortably without oversight. Additionally, having empathy and understanding the needs of others is important for managing a remote workforce.
At Works, we comprehend the difficulties involved in choosing the ideal candidate for a managerial position. We are here to offer our assistance and guidance throughout the process. Please feel free to contact us if you require additional information.
